Filipinx American History Month
At San Diego State University, an Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), we are thrilled to be celebrating Filipinx American History Month (FAHM) this October.
The Filipinx community at SDSU is strong and thriving. In addition to the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center, the Filipinx community is present and active in the Bayanihan Employee Resource Group, the APIDA Employee Resource Group, AB Samahan student organization and the Asian Pacific Student Alliance (APSA) student organization.
History of Filipino/a/x American History Month
In 1982, Fred Cordova became the founding president of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). He referred to Filipino Americans as the “forgotten Asian Americans.” In 1991, the FANHS proposed the first annual Filipino American History Month (FAHM) to start in 1992. FAHM is meant to amplify the overlooked contributions of Filipinx Americans and the lasting impact of Spanish settler colonial history.
FANHS is intentional about celebrating “history” versus “heritage” since history includes events and experiences, whereas heritage mainly focuses on cultural traditions.
In 2009, California Senator Leland Yee sponsored a resolution that recognized October as Filipino American History Month. October was chosen because it commemorates the arrival of the first Filipino/a/x people who landed in what is now Morro Bay, Calif., on Oct. 18, 1587. October is also the birth month of Filipino American labor leader Larry Itliong (October 25 is Larry Itliong Day).
In 2009, Congress recognized October federally as Filipino American History Month.
“Know Our History, Know Ourselves” Theme
The FANHS theme for 2021 is “50 Years Since the First Young Filipino People’s Far West Convention.” In alignment with FANHS, the APIDA Center’s theme for 2021 FAHM is “Know Our History, Know Ourselves.” It is important to learn about the history and historical figures that have shaped the Filipinx American identity. It is even more important to acknowledge the significant contributions Filipinx Americans have made in the U.S.
Filipino American poet Carlos Bulosan (1913-1956) wrote: “It is but fair to say that America is not a land of one race or one class of men. We are all Americans that have toiled and suffered and known oppression and defeat…. America is not bound by geographical latitudes. America is not merely a land or an institution. America is in the hearts of men that died for freedom....”
Join Us!
The APIDA Center has coordinated a robust and exciting series of events (see the program and events calendar or Google folder) to celebrate Filipinx American History Month, which include the following:
- “Saturday School: Tagalog Edition” to learn basic Filipino language and culture over four Saturday afternoons
- Night Market (in partnership with APSA and One SDSU)
- A speaker series about Fil-Am Studies at SDSU, the Student Mural “1587,” Pinoy Pop, and Filipino heroes, such as Telesforo Trinidad and Pedro Flores
- The inaugural Dr. Rey Monzon Data Lecture, featuring RJ Taggueg
- The San Diego Asian Film Festival’s Fil-Am Movie Night
- Crafting events, including Taka Art and D.I.Y. yo-yo’s
- Social media campaigns about FAHM, Fil-Am youth activism and Fil-Am college student organizations
- Instagram fun facts, Cooking with CoCo’s videos and GBM Cultural Reports hosted by AB Samahan
To learn more and to stay informed of APIDA Center programming, please visit:
Engage with us. Uplift Filipinx and APIDA voices and perspectives. We look forward to seeing you at our events and at the APIDA Center!
Sincerely,
J. Luke Wood, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity
Virginia Loh-Hagan, Ed.D.
Director of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center